HDMI ARC supports virtually any sound format. To get the most out of your powerful stereo system, you’re going to need an HDMI ARC connection. The problem is that while optical cables are virtually immune to interference, they have a limited capacity. That’s quite the limitation for a more advanced soundbar, much less a full stereo system. Also, optical cables don’t even support TrueHD, DTS HD, or Dolby Digital Plus. In that case, an optical cable isn’t going to get the job done. But what if you’re an audio nut, and you use a 7.1-channel surround sound system? They support surround sound with up to 5.1 channels. Audio Qualityįor most home entertainment systems, optical cables are going to get the job done. In other words, before you buy a soundbar or A/V receiver, make sure it will work with your TV. Since the signals are travelling on separate paths, the audio and the video might be out of sync. This might seem like a good workaround, but it’s actually not. If your TV doesn’t support optical sound, you’ll need to run an optical cable directly from your source. For example, some soundbars don’t support HDMI sound. We shouldn’t have to mention this, but we will: make sure your equipment is compatible. This makes them impervious to outside interference. However, they transmit the signal via light, rather than an electrical current. These are relatively expensive to manufacture.

Optical cables, on the other hand, are made of fiber optic strands, which are made of glass. On the downside, it’s susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Copper is cheap, it’s easy to produce, and we’ve been manufacturing with it for centuries. HDMI cables are primarily made of copper, which is a standard material for any electronic cable.

The main difference between HDMI and optical is in their material construction.

Amazon digital optical converter